At the airport it was a more promising, if similar story. A stand filled with newspapers in St Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport terminal caught the eye, only to discover that these papers were two days old.

On this occasion, the shopkeeper's helpful explanation was: "I just work here, I don't know when the newspapers arrive."

On the flight south to Volgograd, papers were provided by Aeroflot, with the Russian press' reaction to the hosts' emphatic opening-game victory.

'Sport Express' devoted six pages to Russia's 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia, while others chose to focus on Vladimir Putin's comments welcoming the world to enjoy the tournament in Russia.

Red square has been decorated with World Cup flags and hosts television broadcasters.

England's opening training session last week was lauded by Russian reporters for the access they were given and they remarked that every England player stayed to take photographs and sign autographs for local schoolchildren, a lovely touch.

In Volgograd, the search for newspapers led to yet another wild goose chase.

A hotel receptionist confidently said the nearby shopping centre had a newspaper stand, but again it was magazine heavy and national-publication light.

Upon finding a little hexagonal press kiosk on a dusty street corner, I thought I had finally struck gold, but the woman there said she only receives newspapers the day after they are published and that the most recent newspaper she had was from last Friday.

Russia's newspaper culture is alive and well, but as proven, they aren't always easy to come by.

Kiosks in Moscow and other city centres are usually well-stocked, but the Russian reaction to England's clash with Tunisia in Volgograd may have to wait until Wednesday.